Swaledale Cheese Company siblings honour their mother

A CHEESEMAKING brother and sister have marked the first anniversary of their mother’s tragic death by renaming a cheese to reflect their family's difficult journey.

Louise and Sam Reed, from the Swaledale Cheese Company, say Courage represents the hard decisions taken in recent years.

The company was launched by their parents, David and Mandy Reed, in 1987. Mr Reed died suddenly in 2007 after suffering a heart attack aged 45.

The family suffered further tragedy last year when Mrs Reed died of exposure in the snow only feet from her home.

She had earlier been with her family celebrating her son's 21st birthday. She was 47.

The goat’s cheese was first launched in 2005.

Director Sam Reed, 21, said: “It’s been a tough year for all of us involved at the Swaledale Cheese Company but we have continued the businesses success with the support of our staff, customers and suppliers. There have been many hurdles to overcome but we have survived.

“We want this cheese to mark what we have achieved in the past year and to be the start of an exciting new chapter in Swaledale cheeses’ long history.”

Co-director Louise Reed, 26, added: “Finding the right name was quite a difficult decision.

“But we think it reflects how we feel about the last year and looking back further.

“My parents needed courage to start up the business, my mum needed courage to carry on after dad died and I think we needed courage to keep the business going after she died.

David Shields, North Yorkshire area director for Welcome to Yorkshire, yesterday visited the siblings to give Courage his seal of approval.

He said: “Louise and Sam’s incredible drive to continue taking the company from strength to strength in the face of such tragedy is inspirational.

“We are proud to have the Swaledale Cheese Company right here in Yorkshire and I have no doubt Courage will be a huge success.”

The company has seen the popularity of goats cheese rise steadily in recent years with sales in December over taking its popular Swaledale Blue cheese.